Founded in 1978, the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS), is the organization in Canada that is at the forefront in the celebration of Black history and heritage with a demonstrated record in the study, preservation and promotion of Black history in Ontario.
The OBHS is also the only Ontario Provincial Heritage Organization of the Ministry of Culture devoted to Black history and heritage.
We are the organization responsible for initiating the formal celebration of February Black History Month at all levels of government in Canada due to our yearlong efforts to extend this celebration. (i.e. The first formal declaration of February as Black History Month with the City of Toronto in 1979; and with the Province of Ontario in 1993).
In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month, following a motion introduced by the first black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine.
The motion was carried unanimously by the House of Commons.
----
Dr. Daniel Hill, Donna Hill, Wilson Brooks, Joan Kazmarski, Lorraine Hubbard and others, co-founded the Ontario Black History Society in 1978.
It became the first major public organization in Canada focused on the history of Blacks in the country. Daniel Hill remained at the helm of the Society for about six years.
Daniel Hill used his social aplomb and contacts to bring the celebration of Black history into the public domain.

OBHS Founders
(Photo: Dr. Daniel G. Hill (left), Lorraine Hubbard (second from left) and Attorney General Roy McMurtry (far right)
See more in: Freedom Seeker, the Life and times of Daniel G. Hill
This photograph was taken during a reception that Attorney General Roy McMurtry held for members of the Ontario Black History Society in 1981, three years after Daniel and Donna Hill and four friends founded the organization. Attorney General’s reception for the Ontario Black History Society, February 16, 1981.
The OBHS Story
In 1980, Toronto Mayor Art Eggleton supported the launch of a major Black history exhibit at the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto. Daniel Hill succeeded in discovering and unveiling a portrait of William Peyton Hubbard, a prominent Toronto Black politician in the early 20th century, who had become all but forgotten in the closing decades of the 20th century.and edit me. It's easy.
PAST BOARD MEMBERS
Initial Board: Daniel G. Hill (Founder), Wilson O. Brooks, Joan Kazmarski, Donna Hill and Lorraine Hubbard
PRESIDENTS
Daniel G. Hill - 1978 Founder
Paul Anderson - President - 1986
Rosemary Sadlier - Board member thenPresident - 1989 to 2015
Nikki Clarke - President - 2017
Natasha Henry - President - 2017
Cali Braithwaite-Walton jointed 2014— Interim President - 2025 to present
VICE PRESIDENTS
Wilson O. Brooks - Vice President - 1981
Lorraine Hubbard - Vice President - 1986
Paulette Kelly - Vice President - 2017
Kathy Grant - Vice President ( with Paulette ) 2017
James M. Russell - Interim - 2025
Aileen Williams - 1989
Rella Braithwaite (sharing VP role with Paul Anderson for one year)
TREASURER
Donna M. Hill - Secretary-Treasurer - 1981, 2009
Dorothy Abbott - Treasurer - 2017
Paul Evans - Treasurer 2017
Sheila Simpson - treasurer - 1992
Leo Gaskins - Treasurer - 1986
Charis A. Newton - MAL - Treasurer 1979/ 1982…1993
Rochelle LeBlanc - 2025
SECRETARY
Sydney E. Blackwood - Recording Secretary - 1981
Margaret C. Crawford - Recording Secretary
Rochelle Williams - 2000
DIRECTORS
Judge George Carter - 2009, then Honourary Director - 2017
Glace W. Lawrence - Executive Director - 1986
Linda Carter - 2016 to Present
Raymond Smith
Don Carty
Lyle Kersey
Dr. Michael Lorimer - 2007
Janice Searles
Thelma Allen - 2009
Gregory Birkett - 2012
Jennifer Morgan - 2012
Nathan Redmon - 1997
MISC. (positions and time-served unknown)
Anthony Sherwood
Joan Kazmarski - 1981
Vernon Hendrickson - 2017
Sarah Houston - Membership - 2017
Aileen Williams - 1979 ???
Judge Monte Harris - 1979
Bev Wade - 1979
Carl Thorpe - 1979
Walda Hall - 1979
Raymond Smith - 1979
Donald Carty - 1979
Lyle Kersey - 1979
PAST MEMBERS AT LARGE
Arminta Thomas - Member at Large - 1986
Spider Jones - Member at Large - 2017
Rochelle Williams - Member at Large - 2017
Mawuli Chai - Member at Large - 2017
Sherine Clarke - MAL -1982
Verda B. Cook MAL - 1982
Lyle L. Kersey - MAL - 1982
Robert J. Longworth - MAL - 1982
Ouida Vaughan - MAL - 1982
OBHS TEAM

The Ontario Black History Society is run by a volunteer board of directors and a small staff.
At left: L-R: James Russell, Linda Carter,
Richelle LeBlanc, and Cali Braitwaite-Walton.

Cali Braithwaite-Walton
Interim President

James Russell
Vice President

Richelle LeBlanc
Treasurer
James’ background is in corporate communications and journalism. This is his second term on this board and he enthusiastically supports OBHS's goals and mission.
His efforts to restore dignity to the Negro Burial Ground in Niagara-on-the-Lake have received extensive media coverage.

Linda Carter
Director

David Peart
Manager
During my studies of Political Science at York University, OBHS helped me with my research and studies. I have been a supporter ever since.

